Autoblog

VIDEO: Top Gear pits BMW X5 M against Audi Q7 TDI and Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Videos, Audi, BMW, Land Rover

Why the whole world loves Top Gear - click above to watch the video

If you're like us - and odds are very good you are - you have an evergreen problem. Namely, getting your significant other to feel one-tenth of the excitement about cars that you feel. Sure, you've tried explaining that while you almost drove off the freeway, it's okay because you were trying to catch up with a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car. Or that waking up at 5:30 am on a Saturday to stand around in a parking lot drinking coffee and gawking at old cars is a perfectly normal family activity. You've probably even suggested that she might be happier driving to work in a Citroën DS. Maybe that last part is just us. But maybe not.

Well friends, we have found the solution. The following ten minute clip of Jeremy Clarkson waxing extra poetic about three "mad" SUVs is practically guaranteed to delight even the most fervent, dyed-in-the-wool car hater. It's simply brilliant. Why? Because it's Jeremy at his very best. Yes, of course, he insults stewardesses, environmentalists and the mentally ill all the while powersliding around an abandoned air strip. But he does it all in his 100-percent totally lovable way that frankly we find impossible to resist. Even those spouses that think your big, fat V8, "sounds wasteful" are sure to become fast fans. How could anyone argue with "sliced dolphins?" Make the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear pits BMW X5 M against Audi Q7 TDI and Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged

VIDEO: Top Gear pits BMW X5 M against Audi Q7 TDI and Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G-Power takes the BMW X6 M, X5 M to 600 hp and beyond

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Crossover, BMW

G-Power Typhoon X6 M - click above for hi-res image gallery

We all know what the biggest problem with the BMW X6 M is, right? Not nearly enough power. Sure, 555 hp from a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 is 5 hp more potent than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, making the X6 M the most powerful production SUV on earth. Still, 600 hp is the new black, so a stock X6 M just ain't going to cut it. Thank heavens, then, for G-Power.

Meet the G-Power Typhoon. Thanks to 15% increased airflow to the intercoolers, G-Power was able to wrangle an additional 45 hp out of the Bimmer's motivator. Torque's up a bit, too. From 500 lb-ft to 516. G-Power claims the 0-62 mph dash is lowered to 4.5 seconds, too. One issue with that, however: Inside Line ripped off a 4.3 second 0-60 mph blast in a stock X6 M, meaning this here Typhoon should be three flavors of bonkers.

Then there's the matter of looks, always a sticking point when discussing modern Bimmers. Here's what we recommend. Go down to your friendly neighborhood BMW dealer with a folding chair. Locate an X6. Sit down in front of it and start staring. Meditate, let everything else you've ever known or thought about cars and car design melt out of your mind. This should take between five and seven hours. The salespeople won't mind -- honest. When you snap out of your trance with your doors of perception suddenly nailed open, the X6 will appear to you as it truly is -- pretty okay-looking.

That settled, we'll admit to liking the G-Power's mods. For instance, you can't say the new front clip looks worse than the old one, can you? And who amongst you doesn't love 25mm profile tires riding on 23-inch wheels? There's all sorts of carbon fiber this and kevlar that available as well. The best part just might be that G-Power isn't leaving the X5 M -- the X6 M's ugly duckling sibling -- out in the cold, as there's a Typhoon kit for it, too. You know what word comes to mind? Nifty, all of it. Highly entertaining press release after the jump.

Gallery: G-Power X6 M and X5 M

[Source: G-Power]

Continue reading G-Power takes the BMW X6 M, X5 M to 600 hp and beyond

G-Power takes the BMW X6 M, X5 M to 600 hp and beyond originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: More details on BMW's rumored M1(s)

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:22:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, BMW

BMW 1 Series Tii Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has the mid-engined R8 (now available with a 525-horsepower V10). Mercedes-Benz now has the AMG SLS (with more power than the R8 - 563 horses). BMW has... a 500-horsepower V10 in a 4,000 pounds M6. Not exactly competitive in the supercar department these days. Well, according to everyone's favorite British Buff Book (EVO), BMW will be releasing a new supercar. Probably something resembling a mashup between the M1 Homage Concept and the Vision EfficientDynamics Hybrid Concept. However, it might not be called M1. Or, it might be.

Here's the thing - BMW is also believed to be working on a buffed out, super version of the 135i (based on the Tii Concept) that semi-logically could be called the M1. Check out the supposed stats on this little puppy: a reworked twin-turbo 3.0-liter motor good for 400 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque, a 150 pound weight reduction, seven-speed dual-clutch tranny, the M3's suspension and torque-vectoring rear end. Where do we sign up?

The issue is that some people within BMW feel the semi-sacred M1 moniker should be reserved only for a car that replaces the 1978 M1, the first car BMW's Motorsports Division ever made (even if Lamborghini played a roll). They do have a point, as among us gearhead types the M1 is a pretty reverential piece of machinery. However, what would you call an M-caliber 1 Series?

Autoblog's advice is this: nothing's sacred. Call the hopped-up 135i the M1. No one cares except for a few old timers within BMW and a few fanatics on the outside. Besides, the aforementioned old timers have sat idly by as the fabled M Division has arguably diluted its once lofty rep by releasing the X5 M and X6 M. It's all water (and money) under the bridge anyhow. And by freeing themselves from this false dilemma (because really, who cares?), BMW is free to name the new supercar the M8.

Failing that, just name the mighty 1 Series the Tii (confusing almost everyone) and reserve M1 for a proper supercar. We don't really mind, as long as both cars go on sale. And no matter the name, it sounds like the range-topping 1 Series should see the light of day in 2011 and the new supercar - which will pair BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with two electric motors - should come online around 2012. Color us excited.

Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii

Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

[Source: EVO]

REPORT: More details on BMW's rumored M1(s) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW X5 M caught in South Carolina... but will it debut in NY?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Performance, SUV, BMW

BMW X5 M spy shots - Click above for gallery

Two alert readers caught these latest snapshots of BMW's forthcoming X5 M near the company's Spartanburg, South Carolina facility. With that stance, six front intakes, and that enormous rubber, it looks like the perfect vehicle for a group of Bavarian hitmen, albeit in silver. Some cyber sleuthing revealed terms like "550 bhp" and "Twin Scroll Twin Turbo" on the X5 M and X6 M microsite, but the countdown is only at 4 days and a bit, so we probably won't see particulars until then.

Interestingly, BMW has confirmed that its slant-backed stablemate, the X6 M, will definitely debut at next week's New York Auto Show, so we're looking forward to checking it out. Officially, however, there's no confirmation that the X5 M will make it to the show - but we suspect it will make an appearance just the same. You can read all about BMW's Big Apple showings in the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of X5 M spy shots below. Thanks to the ClayVon and Eddie, who took these great photos for us!

Gallery: BMW X5 M Reader Spy Shots

Continue reading Spy Shots: BMW X5 M caught in South Carolina... but will it debut in NY?

Spy Shots: BMW X5 M caught in South Carolina... but will it debut in NY? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW X5 M and X6 M get official teaser site, source code reveals 550 bhp

John Neff — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Crossover, BMW

The teaser site's tag line reads, "M. Welcome to the next chapter." The now official X5 M and X6 M will certainly be something we've never read in the book of BMW high performance vehicles. Recent chapters have featured high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive cars like the M3, M5 and M6 as their main protagonist, but these new Ms will be big, weigh over 5,000 lbs apiece and use all-wheel drive. In addition to the new teaser site that rounds up all available info on the two newest Ms, BMW has released a first official teaser video in which the M division's Bernd Limmer reveals that the X5 M and X6 M will be powered by versions of the existing twin-turbo 4.4L V8, likely tuned to around 500 horsepower. Being an M car has always required more than just high horses, however, and we can expect the X vehicles to feature heavily tuned suspensions and all-wheel-drive systems with a rear bias for better handling. Throw in better brakes, bigger wheels and tires and subtly revised styling, and consider the next chapter of M read until the official reveal takes place in early April. Follow the jump to watch BMW's official teaser for the X5 M and X6 M.

UPDATE: Jalopnik noticed that the source code of the minisite revealed a tag cloud with such interesting tags as "550 bhp", "Twin Scroll Twin Turbo", "V8" and, our favorite, "gills".

Gallery: BMW X5 M and X6 M - spy shots

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW X5 M and X6 M get official teaser site, source code reveals 550 bhp

BMW X5 M and X6 M get official teaser site, source code reveals 550 bhp originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW's 2009 unveiling schedule?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce

BMW Blog has trained its spyglass on what it says is a list of BMW rollouts for 2009, and it will begin next month with the brand spankin' new Z4 showcased at the Detroit Auto Show. It is March, though, that will bring year's first real bounty. At Geneva, BMW will be showing off a concept version of the Progressive Activity Vehicle (half 5 Series, half X6), the Concept eDrive (an electric 1 Series or 3 Series), a Z4 Individual, and the Rolls-Royce 102EX (otherwise known as the RR4). Then in April, BMW's taking the show to Shanghai with the 760Li.

Post-Shanghai, you'll get a few months to digest. Then at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, BMW is expected to have the production-ready Progressive Activity Vehicle on display and the MINI Crossover. It is there, perhaps, that they'll also trot out a show pony speedster they call the Vision-Z with eDrive, their idea of "progress of sports cars for the future." And sprinkled on top throughout the year come launches of the 7 Series xDrive, 7 Series Hybrid, X5 M, X6 M, and X6 Active Hybrid. For bimmer lovers, 2009 is going to be a jubilee year.

[Source: BMW Blog]

BMW's 2009 unveiling schedule? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW M-tuned X5 and X6 in Spartanburg

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, BMW

Click above for high-res gallery of BMW X5 M and X6 M spy shots

Despite earlier assertions to the contrary, all indications are now that BMW is preparing its first batch of M-tuned sport-utilities, including an X5 M and X6 M. Advanced-stage test mules for both have now been spied by a keen photographer right here in the United States, at BMW's Performance Center test track in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The prototype X5 and X6 M have enlarged air intakes with white LED headlamps up front and aerodynamic rear bumpers with quad pipes poking out the back. The trademark M division side gills have been camouflaged, but the exhaust notes are a reported dead giveaway: the X5 M prototype sounding like a twin-turbo V8, while the X6 M sounds more like a V10 or V12. The appearance of the M-tuned crossovers on American soil instead of on the Nurburgring gives us an idea of just who BMW will be targeting with these performance sport-utes. Check out all the spy shots in our gallery below and hit up the source for two spy videos. Mad props to PalBay for the tip and the shots!

Gallery: BMW X5 M and X6 M - spy shots

[Source: PalBay]

Spy Shots: BMW M-tuned X5 and X6 in Spartanburg originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW X5 M

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, BMW

The proud parents at BMW just can't stop adding new runts to the litter. The latest, which looks to be a rather large runt, is what could be a BMW X5 M. Spotted on a car hauler somewhere in the Fatherland, the modified X sports quad pipes that don't emerge from their usual slots, but are spaced further apart than the usual M arrangement. It's also got a note inside informing drivers not to let the engine run for more than thirty minutes, which could have something to do with the blacked-out camo job covering the front spoiler.

Some folks bet it will be powered by the 5.0-liter V10 from the M's 5 and 6. BMW has said, though, that that engine is reserved exclusively for those two cars. If not that, then it could be a twin-turbo V8 with 430 HP. That would be a 70 HP jump over the normally aspirated 4.8-liter V8, slotting the X5 M between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, and putting it 80 HP down on the Mercedes ML 63. Frankly, we don't think that sounds very M, nor anything like The Ultimate SUV. Stay tuned.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Spy Shots: BMW X5 M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW M X5 spotted

Siddharth Raja — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, SUV, BMW

BMW has consistently argued that a vehicle like the X5 is not fitting with the whole 'M' philosophy of increased performance through reduced weight but despite this spy-photographers have recently come across a new X5 prototype rolling around the streets of Munich with some very distinct M styling cues. The test-mule was seen sporting a new front bumper with much larger intakes than usual, while the back of the car was adorned with a quad-tailpipe arrangement sitting lower than the usual V8 models.

A further clue to this mule being a high-performance version was the sound of the engine. The photographer claimed it sounded very different to any of the X5's current powerplants, suggesting that it could be a new V10 version or possibly a twin-turbo V8 set-up. The final giveaway is the prototype's performance tires, signalling that we may have a new M car on the way.

We can picture the purists around the world shedding a tear at the thought of BMW adding an M badge to an SUV but if Porsche can get away with selling a sports off-roader, and AMG can pump up the Mercedes M-Class than we suppose BMW could too.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: BMW M X5 spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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